There has been a belief at Stanford that hiring a postdoc is a matter between the postdoc and the hiring faculty member. It has been thought of as an individual relationship and has had few rules and regulations.

A decreasing portion of those newcomers to the grants game are likely to get a good start to their research careers as a result of Finance Minister Ralph Goodale's $157.12-billion blueprint, unveiled on 23 February under the soporific theme "Delivering on Commitments."

"Through their policies and their funding priorities, funding agencies must strive to improve the quality of the postdoctoral experience and limit the retention of individuals in perennial postdocs."